hi folks, i was wondering how the Vajrayana traditions view Amitabha and the Pure Land? what are the practices? how is Amitabha viewed in relation to the Trikaya? what texts are given primary focus - i'm guessing the Contemplation Sutra and/or the Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra?

thank yee

Although I too am within Amida's grasp,Passions obstruct my eyes and I cannot see him;Nevertheless, great compassion is untiring and illumines me always.- Shinran

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amit%C4%81bhaIn Tibetan Buddhism, Amitābha is red in color (red being the color of love, compassion, and emotional energy). His direction is west and so he is envisioned as the (red) setting sun. He is seen as the supreme power and energy of nature, cast on an earthly plain, accessible to all sentient beings. For this reason he is considered one of the most popular of all Dhyāni Buddhas.

http://www.amitabhahospice.org/public/w ... eanin1.phpAmitabha Buddha emanates ruby red light. Red symbolises love and compassion. Like the setting sun, his radiant form warms and pacifies the hearts of all who gaze at him. As head of the Lotus family, he represents gentleness and openness. This reflects his boundless compassion and receptivity enabling one to feel accepted and protected.

http://www2.bremen.de/info/nepal/Icono/ ... itabha.htmAmitabha has given red body color, as this color is believed to emanate from him also among the six elements of which man is composed, the element of fire is believed to emanate from Amitabha. He is purified aspect of our aggregate of perception/taste.

i've always presumed that outside Vajrayana traditions his portrayal as golden is symbolic of the aspect of infinite light, which in turn represents the wisdom aspect, able to penetrate through even the greatest darkness of ignorance.

Although I too am within Amida's grasp,Passions obstruct my eyes and I cannot see him;Nevertheless, great compassion is untiring and illumines me always.- Shinran

In Tibetan Buddhism Amitabha is red in colour and represents the purification of desire and attachment. When we feel attachment and aversion we don't understand the true nature of things. Through ignorance we accept and reject objects of attachment and aversion. With discriminating wisdom one understands things as they appear without any confusion or predjudice. This is the realisation of Buddha Amitabha. The Tibetan is sangay Odpamed --' boundless light'.

Buddha Amitabha also belongs to the lotus family. A lotus grows in muddy water whilst its blossom is stainless. Amitabha similarly is the freedom which emerges from the attachments which cause suffering. Purification of the negative emotion of attachment brings pure peace.

Buddha Amitabha sits in vajra posture with hands in the posture of mental clarity, free from discontent and predjudice, and knowing everything as it appears. There is no subjectivity with the wisdom of discrimination, only peace and ease.

I have heard that there are Amitabha Phowa practices in Vajrayana. Phowa deals with ejecting your consciousness at the time of death. I'm a mere beginner so I know little about these things, but here's a link

Thank you for posting a link to Thrangu Rinpoche, Drolma. He is a wonderful teacher and I have been very privileged to be able to attend many of his offline teachings over the years. My previous post with notes taken about Amitabha was from one of those.

May he have a long and healthy life and continue to benefit others. _/\__/\__/\_

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amit%C4%81bhaIn Tibetan Buddhism, Amitābha is red in color (red being the color of love, compassion, and emotional energy). His direction is west and so he is envisioned as the (red) setting sun. He is seen as the supreme power and energy of nature, cast on an earthly plain, accessible to all sentient beings. For this reason he is considered one of the most popular of all Dhyāni Buddhas.

This is just the wrong type of information that gets placed around the web.Take the Amitabha empowerment and all will be revealed, otherwise one is just in a fantasy about these things.